Netflix has added another sitcom to its upcoming slate, and this time, it poached its new series from a major TV network. Last week, Netflix announced that it will be the exclusive home for Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, a comedy co-created by Tina Fey that was initially planned as to debut on NBC.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, which is co-created by Fey and Robert Carlock, stars Ellie Kemper (best known for her role in The Office) as an ex-cultist who decides to start anew in New York City. “Wide-eyed but resilient,” reads a press release, “nothing is going to stand in her way.”
NBC, where Fey became a star thanks to her roles on Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock, initially snapped up the series and planned to use it as a mid-season replacement. NBC would’ve had plenty of room for it; the network has already canceled two of its new comedies. Instead, Fey and Carlock opted to move to Netflix, where the 13-episode first season will debut in March 2015. That won’t be the end of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, either; Netflix has already picked up a second season.
Subscribe to get the latest creator news
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is Netflix’s latest attempt to score a huge hit with a TV-length sitcom. The online platform also has plans to distribute Love, a series created by Judd Apatow, and Arrested Development is still showing signs of life more than a year after its fourth season ended.
Fey isn’t the only 2000s SNL alumnus making moves on the Internet. Frequent Fey collaborator Amy Poehler recently announced a sitcom called Difficult People for Hulu. A former NBC sitcom, Community, has also moved online thanks to Yahoo Screen. By adding Kimmy to its roster, Netflix is only the latest web video company to poach from the Peacock.
